Deering Seafood Festival is ‘catch of the day’

Continuing cooking demonstrations by top SouthFlorida chefs is a popular feature of the Festival.

[dropcap]G[/dropcap]et ready for a non-stop celebration at the 11th annual Deering Seafood Festival on the Bay, complete with delicious catches from the sea, celebrity chef cooking demonstrations, fun-filled adventures for kids, Virgin Island stilt walkers, a Bahamian Junkanoo musical parade and continuous live entertainment. It all takes place on Sunday, March 29, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the historic Deering Estate at Cutler.

The Seafood Festival offers entertainment for all ages. In the Deering Discovery Cove, the Estate’s Educational and Interpretive Staff has planned a Swiss Family Robinson-type adventure with pirates, passports and scientific exploration. Kids will learn everything from basic survival skills and tying knots, discovering geological elements through hands-on gooey fun, to dissecting fish and exploring the coastal marine environment.

For the less intrepid, the Lil’ Shrimp Kids Zone presented by Baptist Health Systems gets kids going with Zumba dancing, healthy tastings and recipes for families. The Zone also offers unlimited play on inflatables, creative activities and a kid-friendly menu when hunger strikes.

On the main stage there is continuous live entertainment presented by Palmetto Ford, featuring the island groove of Caribbean Crew, Fourth Dimension Reggae Band and Mr. Nice Guy’s rock ‘n roll to close out the day. Around the Estate, on-going activities include the Pelican Skipper pontoon boat rides to Chicken Key, self-guided tours of the historic homes, and an Artist Lane with local artisans’ unique creations that range from nautical furniture, recycled tire art, oilfurled fossilized coral lamps, custom made cedar canoes and kayaks to fine art.

For those wishing to pedal to the festival, a courtesy bike valet is offered through Green Mobility. Free car parkand- ride is also available at satellite locations with continuous shuttle-bus service to the Estate, 16701 SW 72 Ave. Admission is adults $15 in advance online, $25 the day of the event; Children 4-14 years $5 and Foundation members enter free. Admission includes park entrance and all activities, excluding food, drink, pontoon rides and rock wall, from10 a.m.-6 p.m. Proceeds from the event benefit the Deering Estate Foundation supporting preservation of the estate and its educational programs. For more information, call 305-235-1668, ext. 263, or go to www.deeringseafoodfestival.org.

The Deering Seafood Festival is made possible with the support of the Miami- Dade County Tourist Development Council, the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners.

Miami-Dade County Parks provide quality and diverse cultural and recreational experiences for persons with disabilities. To request material in accessible format, information on access for persons with disabilities, or sign language interpreter services (seven days in advance), call 305-755-7848.